You don't have to be a member for one day longer than the day you submit an entry into the BOTB. Any game that meets the BOTB criteria (and is accepted), will be in the BOTB of 2009 (so long as it was submitted and approved in 2009).

After the end of this initial VBOTB Competition, things will be changing. The Criteria Sheet for judging that is listed in the main VBOTB thread, will become the new guidelines I use for entry into the BOTB.

Their will be new guidance (and a newer criteria sheet) for judging the VBOTB. Don't worry, it will be made available shortly after the end of the 2009 Competition. More to come on this, though it in no way affects what has been laid out above (for the 2009 year).

Quote: "After the end of this initial VBOTB Competition, things will be changing. The Criteria Sheet for judging that is listed in the main VBOTB thread, will become the new guidelines I use for entry into the BOTB."

No; the point system will be irrelevant (and not included) in that case. When the new system for BOTB (and VBOTB) is implemented their will be no points for the BOTB criteria...it's simply what I will be looking for, in a qualified entry.

The current BOTB Entries will be moved to a new BOTB "Archive" thread.

@Keith, I have a few questions. But first off, I want to say thank you for taking the time to organize a VBOTB sytem.

The first question is, once again regarding multiple people working on the same game. I know it's been discussed in the BOTB discussion before, but I just to want confirm it for the VBOTB now, rather than later. If Hockeykid and myself get a demo finished for the game we've been working on in time to submit it into the VBOTB, will this be allowed, and if so, can we split the prizes? Also, will we both receive the badge (or even a BOTB badge) IF our game is of that quality?

The second question (more like a concern) is about the scoring which is;

Quote: "
Custom HUD [10 pts]: A custom HUD can also add to the overall feel of the game/demo. HUD size and placement are factors here (a super detailed HUD does the player no good, if they can't see half the level). Using the native FPSCreator HUD (or no HUD at all) will not get you any points from this category."

Normally I wouldn't see a point in bringing this up for 10 points, but the last FPSC compitition I entered I lost first place by only 3 points in the final scoring Anyway, the game that we'll be submitting (if we get a demo polished in time for the deadline) will not be using a HUD. Not at all because of laziness, or inability to make custom HUDS, but because I want to go the more realistic route with this survival horror game.

You don't see a lives meter in the top left corner of your vision when you're walking, and you don't see a floating image of the gun you're carrying that tells you how many rounds you have left in the magazine either, do you? I believe keeping the player's stats unknown to them (or forcing them to keep track on their own) adds to the suspense. And not being able to see their current health status, makes them all the more afraid of confrontations. I hope you'll consider exceptions in this catagory.

As far as multiple winners, sprouting from multiple developers on the same team...that would have to be something discussed over email. The other developer would have to show nearly 50% of the work in order for that scenerio to play out. If I allowed someone who made custom art (for example) for the game, then it could be argued that any artist who has custom work used in a BOTB entry...could be in the running to receive the accolade (and prizes).

As far as the HUD goes; I had thought of what you suggest. however, in real life, you'd know how much ammo you have left (as you'd normally load it yourself, or at least check the clip)....this knowledge is symbolized by the ammo part of the HUD. You don't feel how hurt you are in a video game...so you need a graphic representation of this. That's my view. But the reasoning you give, is also why I make it a minor point value. But if someone takes the time to create an outstanding HUD, they should be rewarded for it.

EDIT: By the way Keith, I think I came up with a compromise for the HUD issue I was talking about a week or so ago, but I need to run it by you. What if the health/ammo HUDS are hidden off of the screen but are displayed when the player presses a key? The script is already done.

Sorry Keith, unfortunately we couldn't make this year's running. Didn't want to rush our entry. And I would much rather wait to present our BOTB entry until I can make use of bond1's new shaders, and really raise the bar for next year.

To be accepted into the running for the VBOTB, you have to have an entry into the BOTB for that year (for example; all entries in the BOTB in 2010, will be included in the VBOTB: 2010 judging/voting). When you started making the game is irrelevant.

Just make sure you're paying attention to the new BOTB entry criteria.

It has been asked before. Team games for the Best of the Best aren't too difficult to handle, as each member that contributed (significantly) could be given a BOTB Badge.

However, for a Team to be considered for a VBOTB Badge; there would have to be equal work done on all member's parts. There would have to be a process that would show such involvement as well. The prizes would not be doubled/tripled however; there would still be just one set of prizes, how that team wanted to divide it up is up to them.

It's something that would more than likely have to happen for me to ponder.

Let's see what games make it into the initial stages of the BOTB this year. Remember, the criteria has increased significantly.